Scientific Name
Echinopsis pachanoi (Britton & Rose) Friedrich & G.D.Rowley
Common Name(s)
San Pedro Cactus
Synonym(s)
Cereus pachanoi, Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi, Trichocereus macrogonus subsp. sanpedro, Trichocereus pachanoi
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Echinopsis
Description
Echinopsis pachanoi, also known as Trichocereus pachanoi or Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi, is a fast-growing columnar cactus with green, slightly glaucous stems with 4 to 8 ribs lined with whitish areoles, each with a cluster of up to 7 yellow to brown spines. As it matures, it branches at the base. The stems can grow 20 feet (6 m) tall and 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The spines are up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long.
White, fragrant flowers appear near the top of the stems at night in summer and remain open the following day. They are trumped-shaped and reach 9.6 inches (24 cm) in length and 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. The flowers are followed by oblong, dark green fruits up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long and 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. The flower tube and fruits are covered with black hairs.
Origin
Echinopsis pachanoi is native to the Andes Mountains at elevations between 6,600 to 9,800 feet (2,000 to 3,000 m). It occurs in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 8b to 10b: from 15 °F (−9.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the Echinopsis species without too much trouble. Like many cacti, they prefer a drying period between waterings, even when slightly wilt. When you water, however, you should water deeply. The plant will noticeably plump up. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, ensure fertilizer during the growing season for the best results.
Echinopsis can be easily rooted from offsets, which tend to cluster around the base of the mother plant. Cut offsets close to the stem, at the narrowest possible place. When rooting cacti from cuttings, let the fresh cutting dry out slightly on a paper towel and cut the cacti at the narrowest place possible. After a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the cut surface, the cut surface should have dried out and formed a callous or slightly rough opening. Once the callous has formed, place the cutting in a rooting mixture of fast-draining cacti soil.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Echinopsis.
Forms
Links
- Back to genus Echinopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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